Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’, particularly selected for the whitish color and flavor of its fruit, as well as its limited mildew susceptibility, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ originated from a controlled cross between the female parent ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,728) and the proprietary male parent ‘21AA176’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in May 2014. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ was later specifically identified and selected in Monterey County, Calif. in April 2015.

‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing at test plots in Monterey County, Calif. for seven years (2015 to 2022). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ was particularly selected for the whitish color and flavor of its fruit, as well as its limited mildew susceptibility.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are nine months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

FIG. 5 illustrates whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

FIG. 6 illustrates an aerial view of whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

FIG. 7 illustrates another view of whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Monterey County, Calif. from 2015 to 2022. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ was taken from plants that were nine months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawOneHundred’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             29,728).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘21AA176’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—33 cm.         -   Diameter.—55 cm.         -   Height/width ratio.—0.60.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—11.1.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Dense.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants (per square foot).—12.         -   Diameter (at bract).—3.9 mm.         -   Overall color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow green).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak.         -   Density of pubescence.—Medium. -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS 139A (Dark yellowish             green).         -   Blistering.—Medium.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 8.6 cm. Width: 7.5 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth per terminal             leaflet: 21. Shape of base: Acute. Margin: Serrate to             crenate. Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 28.1 cm. Diameter: 3.5 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on             each petiole): 0.2.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 9.0 mm. Diameter: 1.9 mm.         -   Stipule.—Length: 3.4 cm. Width: 15.0 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 174B (Greyish             reddish orange). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Same             level.         -   Flowering interval.—February to November.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Horizontal.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 20.2 mm. Arrangement of petals: Free.             Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Larger. Stamen:             Present.         -   Petal.—Length: 10.4 mm. Width: 9.9 mm. Length/width ratio:             1.1. Number of petals per flower: 5.3. Color of upper             surface: RHS 155B (Yellowish white).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 31.7 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length: 12.0 mm. Width: 5.1 mm. Number of sepals per             flower: 10. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 32.7 mm. Width: 31.0 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.1.         -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 14.5 mm. Width: 5.2 mm. Length/width             ratio: 2.8.         -   Shape.—Ovoid.         -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or             very slight.         -   Fruit color.—RHS 159B (Pale orange yellow).         -   Evenness of color.—Slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Narrow.         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly             larger.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Very strong.         -   Firmness.—Firm.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS NN155A (Yellowish             white).         -   Color of core.—RHS NN155B (White).         -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: March to early November. Type of             bearing: Partially remontant. Productivity: 59,006 kg to             73,506 kg of fruit per hectare per season from six-month-old             plants when grown in Aromas, Calif. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ differs from the female parent and reference variety ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,728) in that ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ has an acute terminal leaflet base, weak stipule anthocyanin coloration, free petal arrangement, and narrow width of band without achenes on fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’ has a rounded terminal leaflet base, medium stipule anthocyanin coloration, touching to overlapping petal arrangement, and medium width of band without achenes on fruit. Further, the pink color in the fruit of ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ is more pale and the fruit is more firm as compared to the fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftySeven’.

‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ differs from the male parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘21AA176’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ has greater plant vigor and lower susceptibility to powdery mildew than ‘21AA176’. Further, fruit of ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ is more firm with improved shelf life and lower tendency to discolor than fruit of ‘21AA176’.

‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawSixtySix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,703) in that ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ has an ovoid fruit shape, whitish yellow fruit color, partially remontant type of bearing, and the number of stolons is absent or very few to few, whereas ‘DrisStrawSixtySix’ has a conical fruit shape, medium red fruit color, day neutral type of bearing, and medium number of stolons. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawOneHundred’ as shown and described herein. 